Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Bmw 318IS recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

32 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

35,550 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1991 to 1997 model years. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1991
1
1992
3
1993
2
1994
2
1995
2
1996
1
1997
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19911
19923
19932
19942
19952
19961
19971

1991: 1; 1992: 3; 1993: 2; 1994: 2; 1995: 2; 1996: 1; 1997: 1

Year-by-year records

Bmw 318IS model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
199161Not available
199233+2
1993132-1
1994520
1995320
199601-1
1997210

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

91V054000 · Air Bags:Knee Bolster

Reported: 1991-04-10 (April 10, 1991) · Model years: 1991

DURING TESTING, INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DRIVER-SIDE KNEE BOLSTER PREVENTED STEERING COLUMN FROM MOVING FORWARD AS DESIGNED TO ABSORB IMPACT ENERGY FROM DRIVER DUMMY.

Consequence: CHEST DECELERATION EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LIMIT WHICHRESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPAIR THE KNEE BOLSTER TO ALLOW CLEARANCE AND AVOID IMPEDANCE OF STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT DURING FRONTAL IMPACT.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
96V110000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996) · Model years: 1992

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 1997-08-19 (August 19, 1997) · Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
98V178000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System

Reported: 1998-08-04 (August 4, 1998) · Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.

Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

32 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

9.4%Usable mileage3 / 32 records
87.5%Valid incident date28 / 32 records
100.0%Valid filing date32 / 32 records
87.5%Ordered incident and filing dates28 / 32 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component1991199219931994199519961997
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
583.3%
ODI 10012090

THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

Look up ODI 10012090 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

861.5%
ODI 522952

ENGINE TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILS AND CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT.

Look up ODI 522952 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 701777

THE PROFILE GASKET FAILURE IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL ENGINE...AND WHILE BMW ACKNOWLEDGES IT IS BECAUSE OF BA MATERIALS USED FOR THIS GASKET, NO RECALL NOR OFFER TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE HAS APPARENTLY BEEN MADE.

Look up ODI 701777 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition:Module
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 828806

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THROUGH A CARWASH THE COMPUTER FOR THE VEHICLE SHORT CIRCUITED AND SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN. DEALER HAS TO REPLACE TOTAL COMPUTER. *AK

Look up ODI 828806 at NHTSA ↗

120.0%
ODI 885300

AFTER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT DME UNIT WAS SOAKED.*AK

Look up ODI 885300 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
116.7%
ODI 759665

THIS HAS BEEN A WIDELY REPORTED FAILURE ON EARLY 1990S 318 MODELS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Look up ODI 759665 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 8016503

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING COOLING SYSTEM CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Look up ODI 8016503 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Structure:Body:Door
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 874723

DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHICH CAUSED DOOR NOT TO OPEN FROM INSIDE. IN EVENT OF A EMERGENCY DRIVER CANNOT GO OUT FROM DRIVER'S DOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Look up ODI 874723 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 703923

THE FIRST PROBLEM IS THE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS FAIL CAUSING THE DOOR PANELS TO COME LOSE AND FALL OR CRACK. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE HEAT SHIELD RATTLES CAUSING A RATTLING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 5 MPH. THANK YOU

Look up ODI 703923 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 705675

DURING FRONTAL COLLISION INTO REAR OF LEADING CAR AT 35MPH, MY BMW FAILED TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND DRIVER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING DRIVER TO COME VIOLENTLY FORWARD TO WITHIN 1 INCH OF STEERING WHEEL, THEN THROWN HARD BACK INTO SEAT CAUSING NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND A SEVERE CONCUSSION TO THE REAR OF BRAIN, CAUSED BY IMPACT OF REAR OF SKULL INTO HEAD REST

Look up ODI 705675 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 739686

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 739686 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 829527

THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC COMMAND CONTROL BOX WAS FLOODED DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE BOX. DEALER CONTACTED AND AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD REPAIR WORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXSPENSE. TSB 410393 (3914). *AK

Look up ODI 829527 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

120.0%
ODI 10106771 · 91,001 mi

CONSUMER NOTICED ANTIFREEZE ON THE GROUND IN THE GARAGE, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS DETERMINED TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK...THIS GASKET HAS CAUSED PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED IN MIDDLE OF 1994. THIS WAS A FREQUENT FAILURE ON 318 VEHICLES. BMW WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DISCUSS THE PROFILE GASKET PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10106771 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated PulleysToo few reports for a range91,001 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10106771 · 91,001 mi

CONSUMER NOTICED ANTIFREEZE ON THE GROUND IN THE GARAGE, TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS DETERMINED TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK...THIS GASKET HAS CAUSED PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED IN MIDDLE OF 1994. THIS WAS A FREQUENT FAILURE ON 318 VEHICLES. BMW WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DISCUSS THE PROFILE GASKET PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10106771 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1996: 0 complaints · 1997: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1996000
1997000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1996000
1997200

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineElectrical System:Ignition:ModuleEngine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemStructure:Body:DoorAir BagsElectrical System:IgnitionElectrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under DashEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine—0000000
Electrical System:Ignition:Module0—000000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System00—00000
Structure:Body:Door000—0000
Air Bags0000—000
Electrical System:Ignition00000—00
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash000000—0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 6.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 719596

AFTER CAR PASSED THROUGH CAR WASH, WOULD NOT START; TOWED CAR TO DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IS 3-SERIES MODELS AND WAS QUOTED $1500 TO REPAIR. DEALER DID COMPLETE SERVICE 8 WEEKS EARLIER AND DID NOT INFORM ME OF WATER INTRUSION PROBLEMS DUE TO WEATHERING TRIM.*AK

Look up ODI 719596 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 885300

AFTER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT DME UNIT WAS SOAKED.*AK

Look up ODI 885300 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b